Who is Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)?

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), son of Abdullah and Amina, was born on 570 A.D in Makkah, Arabia.

He is believed by Muslims to be the last Prophet and Messenger appointed by God to spread His Divine message to humanity.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), son of Abdullah and Amina, was born on 570 A.D in Makkah, Arabia. Muslims believe he is the last Prophet and Messenger appointed by God to spread His Divine message to humanity.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was an orphan from an early age as his father, Abdullah, died prior to his birth and his mother, Amina, died when Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was approximately 6 years old.

Abu Talib, Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) uncle (Abdullah’s brother) became his guardian. Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) was often called by the people of Makkah ''Al-Sadiq'' meaning "the truthful" and ''Al-Amin'' meaning "the trustworthy."

Prophet Muhammad’s (s.a.w) morals defined his personality and this is what attracted many people to him and the divine message he would eventually preach at the age of 40, when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to him.

As a young man Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was hired by a lady named Khadijah, as a trader. They eventually married and Khadijah gave birth to a daughter by the name of Fatimah (a.s).

From the age of 40, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) received constant revelation from Allah which he conveyed to the people and gradually the Makkans became acquainted with the concept of the existence of Allah and the Divine message of Islam.

During this period, the Makkan elite feared Prophet Muhammad’s (s.a.w) following and started to persecute him and his followers. Eventually, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) had to migrate to Yathrib (later renamed Madinat al-nabi) in 622 A.D and this is known as the ‘Hijrah.’

When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) reached Madinah, he transformed the society into a moral and socially functioning state that respected other religions, honoured business dealings, looked after the needy and wayfarer and constantly submitted to Allah (s.w.t).

A few months after his farewell pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) became ill and passed away in 632 A.D. Till today, both Muslims and non-Muslims reflect on Prophet Muhammad’s (s.a.w) inspirational life as a Prophet and positive reformer of society.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), son of Abdullah and Amina, was born in 570 A.D in Makkah, Arabia. Muslims believe he is the last Prophet and Messenger appointed by God to spread His Divine message to humanity.

Allah revealed the holy book, the Qur’an, in stages to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in the period 610-632 A.D, via the Angel Gabriel and this book encompasses Allah’s Divine message to humanity.

Prophet Muhammad’s Family

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was part of the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe in Makkah and the elders of his family were guardians of God’s holy house, the Kaaba (which Prophet Abraham and Ishmael built). Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was an orphan from an early age as his father, Abdullah, died prior to his birth and his mother, Amina, died when Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was approximately 6 years old. The Prophet's grandfather, Abdul Muttalib cared for him and following his death, his paternal uncle Abu Talib became his guardian. It is from this time that he developed a close relationship with Abu Talib.

As Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) grew up, people saw that he was an honourable man, always standing by his word, fulfilling promises, helping the needy and staying away from any immoral action. He was often called "Al-Sadiq" meaning "the truthful" and "Al-Amin" meaning "the trustworthy."

Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) morals defined his personality and this is what attracted many people to him and the Divine message he would eventually preach at the age of 40, when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to him. When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) became a mature young man, a wealthy lady by the name of Khadijah hired him as a trader. He led trade caravans to al-Sham (modern day Syria) on her behalf.

Khadijah’s aide found Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) to be not only skilled in business but an honest and trustworthy man. Khadijah’s admiration for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) developed until she proposed marriage. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) accepted and their marriage proved to be a happy and spiritual union that lasted 24 years. After her death, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) often said that she was his best support and companion.

These words were the very first words of revelation by God to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), through arch Angel Gabriel. This occurred when the Prophet was 40 in the Cave of Hira, in Makkah.

From the age of 40 to 63, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) received constant revelation from God which he conveyed to the people and gradually, the Makkans became acquainted with the concept of the existence of Allah and the Divine message of Islam.

One of the most important events to occur in his life was ‘Meraj’ (the Night Journey) in which Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) ascended to the heavens, speaking with previous Prophets and receiving further blessings from God.

During this period of prophethood in Madinah, the Makkan elite began to fear Prophet Muhammad’s (s.a.w) following and started to persecute him and his companions such as Bilal and Ammar, son of Yasir. Eventually, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) decided to migrate to Yathrib ( Later renamed to Madinah al-Nabi) in 622 A.D and this is known as the ‘Hijrah’ (the year the Muslim lunar calendar began).

There were even plots to assassinate Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) but Imam Ali (a.s), Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) most loyal aide, cousin and son-in-law, agreed to sleep in Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) bed on the night of migration. When the assassins came, they were shocked to find Imam Ali (a.s) sleeping in the bed, instead of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). By that time, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was well on his way to Madinah with Imam Ali (a.s) later joining him and entering the city together.

Migration to Madinah

When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) reached Madinah, he transformed the society into a moral and socially functioning state that respected other religions, honoured business dealings, looked after the needy and wayfarer and constantly submitted to Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) had succeeded in creating an ‘Ummah,’ a nation where Muslims and members of other faiths co-existed. It was here that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was freely able to capitalise on his abilities as a Prophet, a reformer, a statesman and a diplomat. However, his accomplishments were not without many trials, both for himself and his followers. Several battles took place where the Makkan elite constantly remained aggressive towards him, but by remaining steadfast to his principles and being diplomatic at the same time, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was able to achieve the goal of creating a righteous society that was previously steeped in corruption and practised the burial of female babies and Pagan-worship.

Final Days

The final days of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) were sad as Muslims began to contemplate the loss and as to who would guide them after Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) death. In his farewell pilgrimage in which he expressed that the religion of Islam had been completed, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) stopped at a valley between Makkah and Madinah, which had a pond known as Ghadir al-Khumm. There, he raised his cousin and son-in-law’s hand, Imam Ali (a.s), stating:

‘Whomever I am his master, Imam Ali (a.s) is his master’

This, for the Shia illustrated that Imam Ali (a.s) was the most capable of leading the Muslim community, hence this Divine appointment of his successor. A few months after this pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) fell ill and died in 632 A.D. Till today, both Muslims and non-Muslims reflect on Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) inspirational life as a Prophet and positive reformer of society.

Imam Ali (a.s), son of Abu Talib (the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)) was born in 600 A.D in Makkah, Arabia. He is the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), having married his only daughter, Lady Fatimah (a.s).